Hallandale To Hire Full-time Guards For Two Safe Districts

HALLANDALE - — - Finding qualified security guards to staff the security booth at the entrance to Three Islands Boulevard has been a constant challenge.

The problem has only worsened since part-time employees have become increasingly difficult to find, said Hallandale Police Capt. James Kirchoff.

"With a good economy, people can pick and choose jobs," Kirchoff said. "People we hire get better offers and leave."

Since 1993, the city has hired 35 guards, all of whom are no longer employed by the city's second safest neighborhood district. There are currently no new applicants, according to a report from the police department. The district has been filling three vacant guard positions by having guards work overtime or with community service officers and police officers.

To reverse what the district's leaders see as an "excessive turnover rate" of security guards, city commissioners agreed to turn four part-time guard positions into four full-time positions, which provides the same job benefits regular city employees receive. The cost for the positions, including benefits, will be $38,000 a year.

The proposal came as a request from the district's advisory council. But it also calls for hiring a full-time supervisor for the Three Islands Safe Neighborhood District, which commissioners also approved.

The Golden Isles Safe Neighborhood District also became interested in having a supervisor and agreed to partly fund the new position. The full-time supervisor will train and oversee guards, fill vacancies and act as the liaison between the districts and the city, Kirchoff said.

The annual cost of $35,422 for hiring the supervisor will most likely beprorated for both districts based on the number of guards supervised. Three Islands would pay $24,796 and Golden Isles $10,626.

The changes will be paid by residents of both safe neighborhood districts.

Miriam Stawowy can be reached at mstawowy@sun-sentinel.com or at 954-385-7921.